The final round of the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association Two Day competition concluded on Sunday with wins for defending Champions PIC Insurance Liberta Blackhawks, CMW New Winthorpes Lions, All Saints Pythons, Empire Nation and Tertiary Institute and Schools.
At Rising Sun, the Pythons delivered the most dominant performance of the weekend, crushing WES Rising Sun Spartans by an innings and 86 runs on the back of captain Alzarri Joseph‘s extraordinary batting display.
Joseph, showing why he’s considered one of the most destructive batsmen in local cricket, hammered 119 runs from just 36 deliveries at a breathtaking strike rate of 330.56. His innings, featuring 14 sixes and six fours, propelled the Pythons to a mammoth 376 for nine declared.
Kenny Sutton (71) and Kadeem Josiah (72) provided valuable support as the Spartans’ bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Kerry Mentore (3/112) and Melvin Charles (3/55) bearing the brunt of the punishment.
In response, the Spartans could only muster 172 in their first innings despite Hilroy Andrew‘s fighting 69. Following on, they were again bundled out for 118 for nine in their second innings, with captain Mentore contributing 47, but it wasn’t enough to avoid a comprehensive defeat.
At Ball Beef, in the match of the weekend for sheer drama, Blackhawks overturned a substantial first-innings deficit to defeat Jennings Tigers by four wickets.
The Tigers initially seized control, scoring 184 in their first innings with Shane Burtoncontributing an impressive 88 with Kofi James picking up four for 52. Blackhawks then collapsed to 85 all out, with Glenton Williams delivering a devastating spell of 4/3 in 4.3 overs for the Tigers.
Holding a commanding 99-run lead, victory seemed assured for the Tigers, but cricket’s unpredictability came to the fore. In their second innings, the Tigers crumbled to just 77 all out as James five for 35 and Elvis Weaver three for nine sparked a dramatic reversal, leaving the Blackhawks chasing 177 for victory.
Blackhawks’ chase was measured, with James (33) Amahl Nathaniel (28*) providing stability and Deran Benta (29 from 17 balls) supplying much-needed acceleration as they reached their target with four wickets in hand. Blackhawks would go on to lift the trophy once again.
Playing at home, Tertiary Institutions & Schools demonstrated similar resilience in their contest with Bolans Blasters, recovering from a first-innings deficit to secure victory.
After posting 160 in their first innings (Antwone Willock 37), Schools watched as Blasters captain Taiem Tonge blasted 82 from just 51 balls to help his side to 188 and a 28-run lead.
JQuan Athanaze‘s impressive bowling (5 wickets) kept the deficit manageable, and Schools responded magnificently in their second innings. Hosea Roberts played the decisive knock, crafting 75 from 123 deliveries, while Willock added 57 as they posted 180 to set a target of 153.
The Blasters’ chase faltered against Athanaze, who completed a 10-wicket match haul as they stumbled to 91/6 when play concluded after Bolans forfeited the match due to a batter being mankaded, handing Schools a well-earned victory.
Playing away to the Pigotts Crushers, Empire Nation delivered the most comprehensive victory of the weekend, overwhelming the hosts by an innings and 344 runs.
After amassing 230 in their first innings behind Yanique Watley‘s 62, Empire’s bowlers dismantled the Crushers for just 82, with Damian Lowenfield claiming four wickets at a miserly economy rate.
Rather than enforcing the follow-on, Empire batted again and piled on 276 for nine declared, with Zianni Da Silva top-scoring with 52.
Set an improbable 425 for victory, the Crushers never threatened as Justin Athanazeproduced the bowling performance of the weekend, claiming 5 wickets for just 2 runs as the Crushers collapsed to 80 for nine.
The match between Lions and Bethesda Golden Eagles was ended due to Eagles not showing up on the second day. On the first day, Eagles posted 118 for seven as Demari Benta – four for 24 – starred with the ball. He then anchored the Lions response with an unbeaten 50 with Bartlette Henry (41*) and Ian Eusebe (37) offering supporting knocks.
